Reviews of Dante Alighieri, Siena, Italy

Total number of reviews: 55

NOTE: All reviews are authentic. Only students who booked their course through us can publish evaluations here, and only after the end of their programme. These evaluations then are not manipulated in any way, neither by us nor by the school, and can be trusted as honest opinions about personal experiences with the school.

A trip by treno vapore (steam train)/naturo on small tracks to Tuscan villages including a visit to a "wine factory" and a two-hour lunch with simple Tuscan specialities, wine, folk group and a lot of contact with about 250 young and old Italians, few tourists. Twice a month, book it previously via the travel agency in Via Camollia, ask the Tourist Information Office on the large square.

It was really cold the two weeks were there and the school did not have any heating on so we were wearing coats etc when we asked for it to be put on it was but at a very low level. In addition, I did not feel, having done courses elsewhere, this was an intensive course. They were not geared up for the short term students at all. I learned something but not as much as I would have done elsewhere.

My compliments about the teachers. Only the appartment was very dirty. But I will come back definitely for the courses

23. May. 2007

29. Sonja (37 years) - 29. Course: Siena Magnifica - 2 weeks

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our teacher was great! and also the women in the front desk were very friendly, patient and tried to solve each problem

Insider tips about what future students should not miss

the cooking lessons were really nice, and the meals were great!

Other comments

I didn´t like the chiefs of the school, they make problems if you miss a lesson. but the teachers were really great, the people I met there were all nice and interesting. I loved my time in Siena and I will come back next year!!!!

Visit of Siena and other towns proposed by the school. We visited Pisa and had a very nice teacher with us who explained everything very well. The presentations and films proposed by the school are interesting.

Other comments

The teachers are lovely. Thanks to them for their patience and friendlyness.
The ladies at the reception of the school were very helpful and didn't hesitate to make a telephone call for me for a reservation at the Uffizi in Firenze or elsewehere.
An information about the internet point : if you have a lap-top, take it with you, because you will have much less problems in treating with your e-mails. The internet point at the school is really to improve!
In a two-weeks stage I have met many people of many different countries. This was a real enrichment for me. If I had the oportunity to return to the school in Siena, I would take it at once.

In class only Italian was spoken. Besides the language I learned a lot about the history, the structure and some special or typical Italian characteristics.

Other comments

I think Dante Alighieri offers a good mixture of grammar and conversation. I liked that we had not just one teacher but two different ones. In addition to that I enjoyed the fact that in my course the have been seven students and each one came from a different country. Moreover, the teachers are very kind and the lessons are good.

The dinner at the cooking school is a good value for the money, and it's fun.

Other comments

Although the school is rather low-tech and with traditional approaches to teaching, the staff and teachers have a sincere commitment to quality and everyone is very friendly and helpful. I learnt a lot. Certain nationalities are overrepresented, which may be a problem in some classes. I met a lot of Swiss, Swedes, and Japanese.

20. Nov. 2003

45. Klemens (27 years) - 45. Course: General Course

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10. Sep. 2003

46. M. - 46. Course: General Course

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27. Aug. 2003

47. Martin (31 years) - Austria 47. Course: General Course

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Very good atmosphere; party at a typical Tuscan farm - very good.

Insider tips about what future students should not miss

Palio.

9. May. 2003

48. Kerstin (56 years) - Sweden 48. Course: General Course

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Very friendly athmosphere and the teachers were excellent

Other comments

I was there during Easter and I would have liked more social arrangements from the school's side. It would have been better if the school could arrange more social get togethers like concerts, dancing and other cultural events.